I think part of it is that a lot of women don't realize that foundation has improved and doesn't have to look like a mask anymore.

There's a young girl I see at my college regularly that has great skin and doesn't wear anything but foundation and powder--but the thing is, it LOOKS like foundation and powder. And it calls attention to itself. Looking at her skin, I bet she doesn't even need it, but if she IS going to wear it, she kind of needs to balance it out with eyes and lips. It looks unfinished and strange.

Originally Posted by wavyblonde

This! Yes!

4a/3c curls
Fine strands, not as densely-placed as I would like
Ayurvedic herbs are the TRUTH
Team Wash and Go!
iHerb code:UYA010 - get 5% off your first purchase

I LOVE this thread! Here I go... My name is Wunmi and I buy really expensive skincare products that subsequently leave me counting pennies for the rest of the month *covers eyes* and lie about how much they actually cost

I keep hearing about this L'oreal HIP line - do you find t hey have good color payoff? All of the people who advertise it are always wearing these nude colors so I can't tell.

Originally Posted by sagehen

I was looking at the HIP line last week after Phoenix recommended it to me. I'm a little worried that it's being discontinued because it was on "Last Chance" sale at Walgreens and buy one, get one 50% off at Ulta. They had the basic black and dark brown, but they also had a great navy blue and a dark purple.

Originally Posted by curlyserf

@sagehen...I don't think HIP e/s is very good or pigmented, but that's just IMO.

@curlyself....So you'd rather not get something you might like and look great in because you might end up frustrated when you run out and can't find the liner again?

If you get it and like it, you can go back and pick up multiples at a good price. They last a long time and by the time you run out, you'll probably be able to find a good substitute.

No MAS.

I am the new Black.

"Hope the Mail are saving space tomorrow for Samantha Brick's reaction piece on the reactions to her piece about the reactions to her piece." ~ Tweet reposted by Rou.

I hate that they discontinued Marathon Mascara and that there is nothing else like it in the world. I used it for 30+ years and I miss it terribly.

I love lip crayons.

If I want wrinkles and age spots, that my business. Quit trying to convince me to use expensive and harsh face creams/lotions/peels/etc. I don't want to do any of that. I use cheap natural cleansers and oils and am happy. And I will not stop going out in the sun.

Don't tell me I'm too old to wear anything with a bit of shimmer. Or that I'm too old to use blue eyeliner. I'm not too old for anything.

--I'm located in Western PA.
--I found NC in late 2004, CG since 2-2005, started going grey in late 2005.
--My hair is 3B with some 3A, texture-medium/fine, porosity-normal except for the ends which are porous, elasticity-normal.
--My long time favorite products are Suave & VO5 conditioners, LA Looks Sport Gel, oils, honey, vinegar.
--My CG and grey hair progress -- http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlta...-progress.html

To whomever recommended Milk of Magnesia as a makeup primer in another thread:

thank you so much!

I did some research because I found that so crazy and I also found it can be used for a few minutes in the morning as a mask to reduce oil in the skin. This is how it has worked the best for me. Two or three days a week, after cleansing my face and before I hop in the shower, I put it on and leave it on in the shower, then rinse that off as the last thing before I get out, then go about the rest of my routine. It has worked so well I can't believe it.

I like to match my make-up to my shirt. I know better and I try not to. But when I try to decide what color eye shadow I should wear that day, I look down and see a purple shirt and it makes me think "purple is a good color". Color selection is just much easier that way.

phoenix, i want to try some contouring. i have the tools (i.e. brushes). i think i have the right combo of products too. i have my regular foundation, two different ones that are lighter and one that is a shade darker (all meow). i also have a nice bronzer that's similar to my skin tone and not really shimmery. i have mac liquid concealer that i use under my eyes that works good and i use the mac studio finish concealer for dark marks.

i want to experiment with jawline and nose contouring without looking freakish....

my question is, for the type of contouring i want to do do you think my mineral foundation will work best or that i should use mac concealers (which don't break me out)? i'd prefer the foundation just because the powder seems less heavy than the concealer but for that reason i don't know if the contouring will really show up of if i'll look like i'm just wearing the wrong shade of foundation. what are your thoughts on this?

*** eta i meant to post this in the ask phoenix thread, guess i was in the wrong one ***

a dreamy piscesplease recycle, it matters...i change lives...through fitnessi'm more relaxed being natural

This leads me back to your statement, about people covering up and looking a certain way. I agree, and I wonder why people cake up their faces like that. It draws more attention to the skin they say they want to cover up.

Foundation and powder per se are not bad for the skin; it just requires proper skin care to remove and cleanse the skin, which can be as simple as oil cleansing on the regular and keeping up with exfoliation.

Originally Posted by sagehen

I wonder about this. Wouldn't it be better for your skin to breathe and not have foundation on it for that extra 10 or more hours a day, even with proper removal? Either way, the reason I say sad is that some women want flawless looking skin all the time and feel insecure with any marks or imperfections on their face. It's not just about wearing bad foundation. I just don't get what's wrong with natural skin that's not so messed up. But I guess everyone has their own thing.